Golfers looking for a way to ensure their equipment truly fits their needs for the upcoming golf season have an opportunity to receive free equipment fitting sessions throughout April during PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month.
The fourth annual PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month gives players of all skill levels a chance to have their current clubs evaluated by the equipment and instructional experts of the game. PGA/LPGA Professionals provide consumers with a free 15-minute fitting session to evaluate the clubs they currently play with or plan to purchase and then help determine the right fit for their game so they can hit straighter and farther shots.
Participating PGA/LPGA Professionals can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com.
In the three years of the promotion, more than 101,000 free club fittings, an average of 33,750 each year, have been given to golfers across the country.
"Your golf club is the link between you and a good golf shot," said Joe Hallett, General Manager of PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. "Too often, golfers who have taken lessons and made improvements in their swing struggle with their game - a clear result of improper fitting. PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month offers a great chance to update this vitally important part of the equation of better golf, and you never know, it just might be the club."
In addition to the complimentary equipment fitting sessions, golfers who are looking for more affordable ways to put better technology in their bags will also have the opportunity to trade in their current and unused clubs at fair market value and apply that credit towards new, properly fitted clubs through the PGA Trade-In Network.
Statistics show about 60 percent of golfers clubs that have not been fitted for them, and leave unused sets sitting in a garage or closet. Utilizing PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month enables golfers to have the proper equipment for less money, improving their play and, consequently, their enjoyment of the game.
"We started PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month four years ago so golfers of all levels could get expert advice on whether their current equipment truly fits their needs," PGA of America President Jim Remy said. "In today's challenging economic times, our goal is more relevant than ever because golfers still want to have the best equipment in their bag without spending a lot of money. The ability to trade up to new equipment is unique to our industry."
The PGA of America, in conjunction with Golf Digest, the PGA Trade-In Network and the PGA.com Value Guide, sponsor this equipment-themed consumer promotion during the month of April at golf facilities around the country. Most facilities are also authorized PGA Trade-In Network members, allowing golfers to trade-up to new, fitted golf clubs more affordably by accepting their used golf club trade-ins at fair market values based on the PGA.com Value Guide, the national standard for golf club values.
PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month is one of several programs designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under "Play Golf America," a national marketing umbrella campaign that is supported by the golf industry. PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month targets golfers of all skill levels and seeks to increase their participation, performance and enjoyment of the game, while at the same time raising the awareness, relevance and competence of PGA Professionals in the eyes of consumers as equipment technology and fitting experts. All participating PGA/LPGA Professionals in Play Golf America programs can be found on the industry supported Web site at PlayGolfAmerica.com.